Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The theme for the Spring Music Concert was patriotic. The program as usual started off with the preschool classes singing a few songs for the audience.

The two preschool classes together sang "Take Me Out To See Jesus", "Wave the Flag", "Mr. Sun", and "Good-bye Song". They waved the flags that they made in class and they all wore their Sonshine Preschool yellow shirts.

The 2nd Graders sang "America", "George Washington" and "Out From The Wilderness". Each class was to wear red, blue or white shirts to show their patriotic colors.

The 4th Graders had to play their recorders because they just completed a unit learning how to play. They played "When The Flag Goes By" and "This Land Is Your Land".

The 6th Grade wore shirts the color of what row they stood in. They sang "Home" and "We Are America".

The Sacred Heart Singers sang "Fifty Nifty United States". Then the program was concluded with the teachers singing "God Bless America" with audience participation.Take careMichelle

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

After promotion Mass and the reception for the 6th Graders, the whole class was invited to our home to hang out and have lunch. Cara had asked me if she could have a few friends over to hang out and have lunch. First, I thought I would just have the girls over. Then after talking to another class mom, we decided to have the whole class together.

Therefore, Cara passed out flyers to all of her classmates and teachers at school. We decided to serve the kids pizza, pop, chips, and bars. One mom had a bunch of candy left over from a high school graduation and she brought the leftovers over and the kids just loved it.

The kids had a huge dodgeball game going in our backyard with Ethan's mom, Leisa, as the referee so that no arguments occurred.

Deb and I each started baking pizzas in our ovens and we fed these hungry kids. We had tables and chairs set up in our garage. We used red and black tablecloths, red plates, and red cups to show their Norfolk Catholic spirit.

Cara thinks about 30 of the 35 students hung out at our house before going bowling in the afternoon. They had so much fun. The bowling alley turned off the lights for moonlight bowling and turned the music up loud for them. After a few hours, the party was over and some girls ended up back at our house. Later that night, a group of them showed up at the sock hop at school to end the day.

Monday, May 20, 2013

After Mass, the class had a reception for all guests in the Parish Center with cake and lemonade served.

Jadyn, Cara and Audrey before Mass

Numerous photos were taken by me and many other parents on this occasion.

Cara and Charli were all smiles after receiving their certificates of completion.

Deb and I insisted that these two neighborhood kids get their photo taken together. Cara and Elliot are friends and neighbors, but they fight and argue like siblings instead. But, if one of them needs something, they both turn to the other for help!

I had to take a photo of Cara and David together. These two have been in the same classroom every year. They have been together for two years of preschool and every year since.

These girls needed a goofy moment after posing for so many photos!

Thirty-five 6th Graders graduated, but there are only 12 girls in the grade. This photo shows all 12 of these beautiful girls.

Cara, Lindsay, Rylee and Charli

Brooke, Cara, Lindsay, Emma, Rylee, Charli and Jaydn.

Grandpa and Grandma Leader came down for Mass and graduation. Justin also got to attend graduation before going to visit Lynne at daycare.

As parents, we were so proud of Cara and all of her classmates!

One mom called this our stair-step photo. Cara is still growing at a fast rate. She grew 1 1/2 inches during the school year and is now 5 ft. 6 1/2 inches. She blew past me at the start of last summer.Take care,Michelle

Friday, May 17, 2013

On May 15th, the last day of school, Cara and her 6th Grade classmates graduated from 6th Grade. They were promoted to junior high during Mass that morning. The 6th graders were in charge of Mass and did a fantastic job! They greeted, welcomed, sang, read, and prayed during Mass.

This is Cara and Emma greeting guests as they arrived for Mass. They directed parents, grandparents, and other guests where to sit during Mass.

Elliot opened Mass by welcoming those in attendance to 6th Grade Graduation.

First, the 6th Graders processed into church to "Pomp and Circumstance" and then sat in alphabetical order in the front of church.

Cara was in a group of three walking in and my photo showed Cara lagging behind her partners. Therefore, I got this photo of Cara and Bree going to their seats.

After Communion, Father Andrews, Principal Troy Berryman, Mrs. Pam Wolf, and Mr. Dustin Korth handed out certificates of grade school completion to all the 6th Grade students. Father Andrews mentioned in his homily that these students are about to embark on the next phase of their lives a whole 75 yards across a parking lot in another building on the Norfolk Catholic campus. He told them that it is okay to be excited and also nervous about this next step. Mr. Berryman announced what family house each student would be joining in the fall.

Cara and her teacher, Mr. Korth. Mr. Korth happens to be my first cousin and also has red hair like Cara. Cara had a good year in his classroom.Take care,Michelle

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I enjoyed a good Mother's Day! We started the day by going out for breakfast at the Knights of Columbus. Our breakfast was very good. The Knights served: scrambled eggs with cheese, sausages, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, fruit cup and coffee and juice.Next, the kids gave me a gift card to a favorite store and I received the crafts made in school. Erica gave me a card, Ashlin made a pinwheel and Justin gave me a flower placemat.Then the kids and I headed to the farm to finish planting the garden. We planted peas, green beans, tomatoes, green peppers, jalapeno peppers, cabbage, carrots, zucchini, and I'm not sure what else. Grandpa and Grandma Korth already had the spinach, lettuce, onions, sweet corn and potatoes planted. We gave Grandma Korth three blueberry bushes for Mother's Day. Therefore, we had to plant those also. After all the planting, we went in the house for a snack.After getting back home, I started planting my flowers in pots to go around the house outside. I planted until I ran out of dirt.Finally, we concluded the day by Keith making supper for Grandpa and Grandma Leader and Grandpa and Grandma Korth. He served us chicken alfredo, BBQ ribs, lettuce salad, biscuits and brownies. It was delicious and the conversation was good also.It was a good day!Take care,Michelle

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Friday was Justin's last day of preschool, my last day of work for the school year, and Justin's last day of daycare. Justin is glad that daycare is over, but he will miss Lynne and the daycare kids. For his last day, Justin took animal cracker treats for the kids. Justin gave Lynne a hydrangea plant and a gift card to a local restaurant to eat out with her family. We are so thankful to Lynne for taking care of Justin for the last three school years. Plus, Lynne just lives two blocks from our house which is very convenient. Lynne has been doing daycare for the last 20+ years and she does an excellent job! Justin will stop by and visit Lynne a few times over the summer.Take care,Michelle

Monday, May 13, 2013

Justin graduated Thursday morning from Sonshine Preschool. He was so excited and had been counting the number of days for days. Of course, he did not want to dress up, but we told him that he had to look nice.

The program started with the class singing seven of their favorite songs. They sang "Days of the Week", "Months of the Year", "The Fishing Song", "God's Army", "The Ants Go Marching", and "God Made the World".

The last song was their all-time favorite, "Too-tee-ta" with parent participation. Justin picked Dad to sing and dance with him.

Next, each student was presented with a certificate of completion, a progress report and a packet of papers to complete over the summer. Every student had made a beaded necklace and these were exchanged with classmates to promote the "peacebuilders" program over the summer.

Then everyone enjoyed cookies and lemonade. Justin was treated to lunch at Applebee's by Dad before going to Lynne's house.

This is Hayden, Justin's friend. We carpooled for preschool pick-up with Hayden this year. These two have become good friends.Take care,Michelle

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Justin took part in the Optimist Youth Track Club this spring. With all of the cold weather that we experienced, they only got to have two practices before the ribbon meets. The first night was running events.

Justin had the choice of the hurdles, 50 meter dash or the 100 meter dash. He could choose two events and he chose both dashes. Justin had his heart set on getting a blue, 1st place ribbon. We told him to just run his hardest and whatever ribbon he received was fine. First, he ran the 50 meter dash. He WON his heat and received a 1st place ribbon! He was so excited. I had no idea this kid's little legs could run that fast and that he could pump his arms like that. Then he ran the 100 meter dash and received a white, 3rd place ribbon. He was a little disappointed, but still excited about winning another ribbon.

The next night was the field events ribbon meet. Justin was determined again to win and get a blue ribbon. He chose to compete in the long jump and on his last jump, WON again! When they called his name for first place in his grouping, the smile on his face was priceless!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Last Friday, Cara and Erica had their spring piano recital at The Meadows. Erica was the first performer of the evening. She was really nervous, but did an excellent job. Erica played "Oom-Pa-pa!" and "The Purple Cow".

Cara played "Stroll in the Park" and "Oh! Susanna" for the recital. Cara was so laid back about the recital that when she paused in her first song and the audience clapped, she just went on to her second song, instead of finishing her first song. I told her that she should have finished the song, but Cara replied, "Well they clapped like it was the end of the song, so I just went on to the next one."

Mrs. Nissen with her piano students for the year. There were a few students missing. Each student played beautifully. It is always good to listen to their progress from recital to recital. There were two students having their final recitals as they are seniors and moving on to college.Take care,Michelle

Welcome!

About Me

I run a household of six. My husband, Keith, and I have been married for the last 16 years. We have been blessed with four children: Cara (15), Erica (12), Ashlin (10) and Justin (8). I work part-time at our children's school and I work part-time as a retail merchandiser.